verance and judgment, than his well-trained soldiery.
Obedience, inflexible obedience to their commander, seemed the leading,
almost the only principle upon which they acted: not that slavish
obedience which is the effect of fear, but the obedience which is the
result of confidence. "God and the Protector" was their faith, and they
knew no other. As the Jew gazed upon those invincible men, he shrouded
himself still more closely within his furred cloak, and shuddered.
Robin's eye, on the contrary, brightened, for he was born of England,
and proud of her greatness. Ah! Englishmen in those days had a right to
be proud.

There was another difference in the conduct of the Protector's troops
from those of every other time and every other nation: they had none of
the reckless wildness, none of the careless bravery which is supposed
necessarily to belong to the profession of arms. Their habits were
staid and sober; and if any Cavaliers did enter in among them, they were
forced to behave themselves according to the fashion of their
associates, which habit, in a little time, tamed their heedlessness into
propriety. There was no singing of profane songs in the guard-room, no
filthy jesting or foolish talking; no drinking; their very breathing
seemed subdued, and nothing frighted the tranquillity which rested on
the turrets at Hampton, and pervaded its courts, save the striking of
some iron heel on the ringing pavement, or the neighing of some gallant
steed in the not distant stables.

Once, indeed, a psalm wailed through the casement from one of the inner
courts: it was sung at first in a troubled tone, and in a low key, but
afterwards the sound was increased by other voices; and it swelled upon
the ear in long and loud continuance.

"He has departed, then!" observed one of the sentries, to an armed man
who stood near the carriage.

"I suppose so, and, I trust, in the Lord," was the reply.

"Doubtless--yet the heart was strong for life. His Highness will be
sorrowful."

"He will; but grace abounded greatly; he was one of the Lord's best
soldiers, and fought well in the good cause."

"Would that my time was passed! I would fain uplift my voice with
theirs."

"I will go there forthwith," replied he in armour; and Robin heard the
echo of his step die in the distance. Ere the messenger, despatched by
the officer of the guard, had returned, a sort of rambling drowsy
conversation was carried on by the soldiers within, which on